It is estimated that over 200,000 people in the UK have a stoma. It can be reassuring to know that you are not on your own following life-changing surgery, and that many people are met with the same challenges as you on a daily basis, including some celebrities who need stoma bags as a result of illness or surgery.
Celebrities can undergo stoma surgery for a variety of reasons, just like any of us. A number of celebrities with a stoma have talked publicly about their experience, helping to eliminate the stigma of life with a stoma, educating the wider public, and campaigning for better public facilities.
The celebrities with a stoma in this blog have proven it’s possible to live a full life following stoma surgery, and to continue doing what you love, through patience and determination; with expert clinical support from stoma nurses, support from family, friends and the community, and by discovering stoma care products that meet their individual needs.
Tracey Emin
Tracey Emin is a world renowned artist, famously known for her raw and unfiltered artwork. Following an appendix operation, she experienced kidney reflux, and was later diagnosed with Urinary Retention, also known as Fowler’s Syndrome. As a result of this, she spent 5 years self-catheterising.
In 2020, following a biopsy, Tracey was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer. In an interview with Colostomy UK, Tracey describes the radical surgery she underwent to remove the cancer, where surgeons performed a full hysterectomy, also removing her bladder, ovaries, lymph nodes, urethra, part of her vagina, and part of her intestine to form a stoma. This type of stoma is called a Urostomy.
Tracey’s surgery was urgent so she didn’t have time to process what the outcome would be. She says that during the time she self-catheterised, she kept it a secret, but this time, with her Urostomy, she felt it was important to share her experience.
During her interview with Colostomy UK, Tracey talks about the benefits of being a new ostomate, such as the many types of stoma bags now available, providing ostomates with more choice to meet their individual needs. She also reflects on the wisdom of people who have lived with a stoma for as long as 30 years.
Fran Brown
Fran Brown is a world champion para-triathlete and para-cyclist. In 2006 Fran had an accident at work resulting in an incomplete C4 spinal cord injury. Years later, Fran began to experience abdominal pain, increased bowel movements and difficulty maintaining her weight.
Through all of this, Fran was still training and competing.
She was later diagnosed with a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) called Crohn’s Disease, eventually making the decision to undergo stoma surgery. Fran has talked openly about how she felt leading up to her surgery, concerned that it would negatively impact her training.
However, following her surgery, she described how her bowel care was transformed, and the bowel issues caused by her spinal cord injury were eliminated. Fran has also talked about how finding the right products to suit her needs hugely benefited her life and athletic training.
Matt Forde
Matt Forde is a comedian, TV host, radio presenter and podcaster. Matt had major spinal surgery resulting in a colostomy.
In an interview with Colostomy UK, he admitted he found the idea of having a colostomy bag repulsive. However, with support from his Stoma Care Nurse, and as his mobility improved, he found it less so, and says it turned out to be a smaller lifestyle change than he’d originally expected it to be.
He finds that having a sense of humour and talking openly has helped him come to terms with his stoma, also making his experience relatable and reassuring for others facing similar challenges.
Blake Beckford
Blake Beckford is a fitness model and body builder.
At the age of 21, he was diagnosed with a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease called Ulcerative Colitis. After managing his condition for a number of years, and hiding it from his fitness colleagues and co-workers, Blake underwent stoma surgery. He thought a stoma was something you have when you’re much older and worried that it might stop him from training at the gym.
There were complications for Blake, and he underwent three operations in total, losing three stone during that time. In an interview with the Oxford Colon Cancer Trust, he admits that he felt he’d hit rock bottom.
Through gentle exercise, Blake gradually began to regain his strength. As his fitness improved, he was able to get back to the gym and went on to be the first person with a stoma to win a National Fitness competition in the UK!
Louise Thompson
Made in Chelsea star, Louise Thompson is the most recent celebrity to talk publicly about her stoma.
Louise was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2018, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Louise has openly documented her stoma journey, discussing the impact it had on her body confidence and her relationship.
Along with the other celebrities in this blog, Louise is a tireless campaigner to remove any shame or stigma around having a stoma, and living proof that it’s possible to embrace and enjoy life again following stoma surgery.
In a BBC interview, Louise said, ‘I feel better than I’ve ever been. It’s the best decision I’ve made.’
Adele Roberts
Adele Roberts is known for being a BBC Radio One DJ and Big Brother contestant, but in 2022, she made headlines when she talked publicly about her stoma named ‘Audrey’.
Adele was diagnosed with bowel cancer, which led to stoma surgery and full rectum removal. Originally, she hoped to have stoma reversal surgery, but learning this wouldn’t be possible, she took to her social media platforms and shared the news with her followers.
She talked about how she felt motivated to support people in a similar position to her, having learned that stomas are described as an invisible disability, and that there can be a stigma attached to having one.
Adele has continued to document her life with a stoma, advocating for ostomates, working to break the stigma and to provide better education for the general public on life with a stoma.
Merlin Griffiths
Merlin Griffiths is best known for being the friendly bartender on Channel 4’s television series, First Dates. However, Merlin made headlines when he publicly shared his diagnoses of stage 3 bowel cancer in 2021.
He continued to document his journey as he underwent treatment, which included the formation of a stoma.
In an interview with Bowel Cancer UK, he urges people not to feel embarrassed by their symptoms, but to see their GP as soon as possible, because the earlier you get help and a diagnosis, the better the prognosis.
Merlin has since been cleared of cancer and his stoma surgery has been reversed. Stoma surgery can be reversible if the condition that caused the need for a stoma has been resolved or improved.